IAN SILVESTER: BRIGHTON PAEDOPHILE SCOUT LEADER AND INSTRUCTOR SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF ABUSE

A man from Brighton, Ian Silvester, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after a harrowing case revealed his decades-long pattern of abusing young boys under the guise of various trusted roles. The 60-year-old, who once served as a scout troop leader and babysitter, managed to conceal his predatory behavior for nearly thirty years, effectively hiding in plain sight within the community.

Throughout his career, Silvester also worked as a diving instructor, a trainer for St John Ambulance, and a first aid instructor. These positions allowed him to establish close relationships with children and their families, which he exploited for his own sexual gratification. Prosecutors detailed how Silvester manipulated his young victims by pretending to engage them in innocent games or educational activities, all the while abusing their trust for his own depraved purposes.

The court heard that Silvester's abuse spanned from 1986 to 2013, during which he assaulted a total of 19 boys. The case was brought to trial at Lewes Crown Court, where he was convicted on multiple counts. Judge Christine Laing KC delivered a stern sentence, describing Silvester as “the very definition of a paedophile hiding in plain sight.”

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Laing emphasized the profound impact of Silvester’s actions, stating that his victims are left with “a lifetime of shame and regret.” She pointed out that the abuse was carried out so openly and frequently that it occurred in front of others, highlighting the brazen nature of his misconduct. The judge also condemned Silvester for abusing the trust placed in him by each boy, whether as a babysitter, cub scout master, diving coach, or first aid trainer. His behavior was characterized as a gross betrayal of that trust.

Silvester was sentenced to 16 years in prison, with an additional six years on extended licence. He was found guilty of 44 counts of indecent assault on a male, 25 counts of sexual activity with a child, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and two counts of making indecent images of children. Following his arrest, police seized devices from his home in Brighton, which contained indecent images of children as well as photographs and videos depicting his victims being assaulted by him. The court ordered all such material to be forfeited and destroyed.

Emma Lile, a specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, expressed her outrage at Silvester’s actions, emphasizing the betrayal of trust inherent in his roles. She stated, “Ian Silvester’s crimes are particularly disturbing given the various roles he held over many years where he was entrusted with the responsibility of caring for and safeguarding children. He abused these positions in the worst possible way and took advantage of young boys. Silvester tried to claim that what he was doing was innocent, denying that his behaviour was sexually motivated.”